Eagles in fitness fight ahead of punishing run

STARS ‘TOUCH AND GO’ FOR IRAKLIS CLASH

- By JEFF KING

Eagles' Deion Hammond in action against Iraklis BC during last month's ENBL defeat in Greece

(GARY FORSTER)

NEWCASTLE Eagles begin a demanding run of three games in five days in three different competitions tonight when they host Greek side Iraklis BC in the European North Basketball League.

Marc Steutel’s side have already lost their opening two encounters in European competition — and last time out it was Iraklis who provided the opposition, with Newcastle falling to an 85-71 defeat in Thessaloniki.

Tonight's game (7.30pm tip-off) is followed by an SLB Championship trip to B. Braun Sheffield Sharks on Friday, before an SLB Trophy clash at Caledonia Gladiators on Sunday afternoon.

And as Steutel assessed his options, he revealed: “The biggest challenge we have got at the moment is the health of the group.

“We've got some guys that have been trying to use the international break to try and get healthy.